Ten Hag: Man Utd display in Cadiz defeat ´not acceptable´

Erik ten Hag accused his Manchester United players of sleeping in their friendly defeat to Cadiz and says the first-half display was not acceptable .

United lost 4-2 to the LaLiga strugglers at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla on Wednesday in their first of two warm-up matches before the season resumes in a fortnight.

The Red Devils were two down inside 14 minutes in Spain, but they levelled up through Anthony Martial s penalty and a deflected Kobbie Mainoo strike either side of half-time.

But United, who fielded different sides in each half, conceded two more goals and manager Ten Hag was not pleased with what he saw from his experimental side.

It is quite clear. We were not awake, still sleeping, in first 15 minutes, he told MUTV. They are a threat in transiti…

Arteta accepts Arsenal goalscorer Martinelli ´deserves more´

Mikel Arteta concedes Gabriel Martinelli deserves more game time than he is getting at Arsenal and says the forward is pushing hard to play a greater role for the Gunners.

Martinelli was on target as Arsenal defeated Newcastle United 2-0 at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, just 93 seconds after replacing Bukayo Saka – who had opened the scoring.

The Brazilian has played only 367 minutes across nine appearances in all competitions this season, with just four of those as part of the starting line-up.

His goal against the Magpies was his first of the campaign, while he has yet to register an assist from the five chances he has created.

But Arsenal boss Arteta believes the goal can act as a springboard for a player whose attitude continues to impress the Span…

Tributes pour in for Benitez

FIFA president Sepp Blatter led the tributes to Christian Benitez as the world of football mourned his death.

The Ecuador international, 27, was taken to hospital on Monday complaining of stomach pains and suffered a fatal heart attack.

Benitez had made his debut for Qatar Stars League side El Jaish Qatari El Jaish on Sunday in their 2-0 win over Qatar SC in the Sheikh Jassem Cup.

Saddened by the death of Chucho Benitez. My thoughts are with his family and Ecuadorian Football, posted Blatter on Twitter.

English Championship club Birmingham City also honoured the striker.

Benitez enjoyed a year-long spell at Birmingham during the 2009-10 season, scoring four goals in 36 appearances for the club.

A statement of the club s official website read: Birming…

Bitesize Prediction: Shijiazhuang Gongfu vs Guangxi Pingguo Haliao – 13/09/23

Market: Shijiazhuang Gongfu win

Odds: 20/21 @

In what is a crucial showdown at the top of the Jia League standings, Shijiazhuang Gongfu will welcome Guangxi Pingguo Haliao to town on Wednesday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, while Shijiazhuang might eventually fallen short in their bid to punch a top-two finish last season, Zhou Lin’s men haven’t shown any signs of a hangover this time around. Last seen over the weekend making a crucial return to winning ways as they landed a 2-1 victory away at Wuxi Wugou, the Blues now find themselves sat just three points adrift of breaking into the automatic promotion places here. Knowing that they face what could be a season-defining affair on Tuesday lunchtime, the Hebei-based outfit will be excited by their contin…

Premier League Preview: Manchester City v Hull City

Manchester City will look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they entertain Hull City on Saturday.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side fell to a surprise 3-2 defeat at Cardiff City last time out, and will be eager to avoid further disappointment against another of the newly promoted teams at the Etihad Stadium.

City looked in fine form in their first game of the campaign as they comprehensively disposed of Newcastle United 4-0 but then came unstuck in South Wales, despite dominating large spells of the match.

Vincent Kompany missed the encounter at the Cardiff City Stadium after sustaining a groin strain in their opening-day victory and will again be on the sidelines this weekend.

The injury to their captain has exacerbated City’s shortage of defende…

Ligue 1 Preview: Lille face Lyon test, PSG aim to extend Toulouse streak

European hopefuls Lille and Lyon will steal some of the Ligue 1 spotlight away from Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco when they meet on Sunday.

Lille hold the advantage in the race for the third and final UEFA Champions League spot, but are being closely pursued by several teams all looking to seal a place in Europe s premier club competition.

Lyon are among the sides in the hunt and sit five points adrift of Lille in sixth after suffering two defeats in 14 league matches.

However, recent history ahead of this weekend s meeting favours Lille, who have lost only twice at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in the league all season and have not suffered a home defeat to Lyon since 2008.

Saint-Etienne and Marseille, currently fourth and fifth, can put pressure on their rivals for …

We put too much pressure on England – Heskey

Emile Heskey says it is inevitable England come under too much pressure at major tournaments and hopes Roy Hodgson s side will be allowed to play with freedom at Euro 2016.

England bowed out of the 2014 World Cup in the group stage, losing to Italy and Uruguay and then drawing with Costa Rica, having already been eliminated. 

But they qualified for the European Championship unbeaten and are listed by many bookmakers as fourth favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy, behind hosts France, world champions Germany and holders Spain. 

Heskey, who played for England at the World Cup in 2002 and 2010, as well as Euro 2004, is well acquainted with the huge burden of expectation regularly placed upon the team.

It s inevitable … we put pressure on ourselv…

Five low points of Moyes´ Manchester United reign

David Moyes has been sacked as Manchester United manager less than year after taking over.

A short statement released on United s official Twitter profile on Tuesday confirmed the Scot s departure, while thanking him for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role .

Moyes was viewed by many as the natural successor to club legend Alex Ferguson and was hand-picked by the 72-year-old to succeed him following his retirement.

But the faith shown in awarding the ex-Everton boss a six-year contract proved misplaced, with United relinquishing their Premier League crown tamely while also crashing out of the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

Sunday s 2-0 defeat at Everton left United in seventh place some 23 points adrift of leaders Liverpool a…

Diego Perotti would welcome Spurs move; Sakho enjoying life at Liverpool

Sevilla FC winger Diego Perotti has revealed he would welcome a January move to the English Premier League amid reports linking him with UEFA Europa League contenders Tottenham Hotspur, according to .

Perotti, who joined Sevilla from Argentine side Deportivo Morón in the summer of 2007, made his first-team debut for Los Rojiblancos against Espanyol on 15 February 2009.

The Sevilla No. 10, 25, has struggled to find consistent form this season despite netting five goals in 14 appearances, including just six starts, in all competitions.

Recent reports have suggested Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas is planning a summer swoop for Perotti, and understandably so.

Tottenham have scored the fewest goals from open play (5) in the top-flight this s…

England 3-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina: Palmer scores debut goal in Three Lions victory

Cole Palmer scores on his England debut to set the hosts on their way to a 3-0 friendly victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina at St. James Park on Monday.

The Chelsea midfielder kept his cool from the spot to put England ahead in the 60th minute after a frustrating goalless first half.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made sure of the victory in the 85th minute, striking a superb low volley around Nikola Vasilj and into the bottom corner.

Harry Kane, off the bench, added a third from close range, pouncing on the loose ball after Ezri Konsa had inadvertently blocked Jarrod Bowen s shot on the line.

to the at !

Our preparation continues

— England (@England)

Data Debrief: England find shooting boots in second half

Palmer is just the f…